Switch



Aug. 23, 1932.

H. E. NORVIEL ET AL SWITCH Filed Nov. 2, 1929 Harry E Narvie] and VENUE E001? Batented Aug. 23, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE HARRY E. NORVIEL AND VANCE ECOFF, OF ANDERSON, INDIANA, ASSIGNORS TO DELCO- BEMY CORPORATION, OF ANDERSON, INDIANA, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE SWITCH Application filed November 2, 1929. Serial No. 404,428.

This invention relates to electric switches of the class required for signal devices, as in automotive vehicles.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide a switch of the class described of simple design that will be efficient in its operation and that may be produced at a relative low cost.

Another object of the instant invention is to provide a switch of the class described that will be reasonably certain n its operation upon manipulation of a primary controller.

Another object of the invention is to provide a switch of the class described thatis normally ur ed into circuit closed relation.

Another object of the invention is to provide a switch of the class described in which the movable contact element will present a cushioning effect, the better to insure circuit closing relation between the fixed contacts.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description, reference being had to the accompanying drawing wherein a preferred embodimentof one orm of the present invention is clearly shown.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic view of an improved switch as applied to the signal clrcuit of an automotive vehicle.

Fig. 2 is a rear elevational View of the switch substantially as illustrated by the arrow 2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view of the switch device substantially as indicated by the line and arrows 33 of Fig. 2, with parts thereof illustrated in their normal position of rest.

Fig. 4 is a front elevational view of the switch substantially as indicated by the ar-- row 4 in Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a horizontal sectional view of the switch device substantially as indicated by the line and arrows 5--5 of Fig. 4, with parts of the internal mechanism shownin circuit open position.

Fig. 6-is a sectional view as indicated by line and arrows 6-6 of Fig. 5.

In the drawing 20 indicates a base plate for the switch having an attaching bracket 21 providing apertured ears 22, by which the switch structure may be attached to a block or rail 23 upon the floor boards 24 of a vehicle. Aside from the apertures 22 just described the base 20 is further apertured at 25, 26 and 27 fora purpose which will presently appear.

A switch housing 30 is provided, which is substantially cylindrical in formation, inthe present instance providing the portions 31 and 32 of different diameters or substantially stepped in exterior form, and longitudinally bored at 33 to provide a switch case of substantially shell like cylindrical form. The larger portion'32 of the housing is fluted or grooved at 34 and 35 to provide reception for legs 36 and 37, of a U-shaped clam ing member 38 which aids in securing the iou'sing 30 to the base 20. The bridge of the U-shaped member '38 is somewhat enlarged at 39, to provide a disc portion of substantial dimension to close of]? the end of the chamber 33, so that when the parts are assembled as shown in Fig. 3, theUshapcd member 38 will form a closure for the rear end of the chamber 33 with the legs 36 and 37 lying within the flutes 34 and 35 and extending throughthe apertures 26 and 27 of the base 20, where they are clinched against the outer face of the base at 40 and 41 respectively to secure the parts in assembledrelation.

In addition to the above appointments the casing 30, has moldably secured within the enlarged portion 32, at points substantially 1 equally circumferentially spaced between the flutes 34 and 35, inserts 45 and 46 which have angular extensions 47 and 48 the edges of which are substantially flush with the internal surface or bore 33 of the casing, while the extensions cut across the bore as cords forming flat walls at those points. These extensions 47 and48 provide fixed switch contacts protruding into the chamber 33, as will be seen on reference to Fig. 6, and they have laterally extending portions 49 and 50 without the body of the shell, apertured at 51 "and 52 to provide circuit terminals adapted to be connected into a signal circuit as illustrated in Fig. 1.

The bridge portion 39 of the attaching 100 bracket 38 is apertured at 55 in alignment with the chamber 33, and the aperture 25 of the base 20, soas meet as a guide for a contact actuator assembly shaft 56, as illustrated in Figs. 3 and 5. The contact actuator assembly is best illustrated in Figs. 3 and 5 and comprises the shaft- 56 ust referred to, that supports a contact carrier having a movable contact or conducting element 57 adapted for engagement and disengagement with the switch contacts 47 and 48.

In the illustrated embodiment the contact carrier comprises a' pair of nonconducting discs or washers 58 and 59 having an interposed spacer 60 that when mounted upon the shaft 56 against a collar of flange 61, provide a spool like member having an annular groove 3 62 within which is disposed a conducting element 57. It is obvious that instead of constructing the contact carrier as illustrated, that it may be formed of a molded member of insulating material in which the elements 58, 59 and 60 would be of integral formation,

and would still provide the annular groove 62 within which to seat the conductor 57. At all events whether the contact carrier is of integral formation or compiled as illustrated in-Fig. 5, it is secured upon a shaft 56 against the collar 61 by staking a portion of the shaft 56 as at 63 against a clamping washer 64.

The conductor element 57 is of novel formation in that it is composed of a small helix of wire that is wrapped about the spacer 60, or disposed in the oove 62, with the ends thereof hooked together so that the helical ring is slightly under tension suflicient to retain it within the annular groove 62, and yet of sufiicient magnitude of expansion, as necessitates slight lateral compression in order to pass the same within the bore 33 of the case 30. This insures positive electrical contact between the members 47 and 48 when the conducting element 57 is disposed therebetween. It also eliminates the necessity for close machining of parts in order. to make work satisfactorily since movement of the actuator assembly a ong the bore 33 will carry with it the conductor element 57. Due to its resilience and yielding properties, it will give way/to obstructions and pass over the same, or allow continued movement of the assembly after meeting the same. Also this form of conductor element will yield sufficiently that a wiping engagement is obtained between the elements 47, 48 and 57. I The contact actuator assembly thus described is ready to be connected with the casing described above, and it has been found advisable in assembling, to pass the clamping member 38 over the outer end of the case 30 with the legs 36 and 37 disposed in their respective flutes 34 and 35, and then placed within the chamber 33 against the closure 39 an actuating or return spring 70. Against the spring the contact actuator assembly herein described is placed, so that the end 565, of the shaft passes through the spring 70 and the aperture 55 of the disc This will position the contact carrier with the conducting element 57 within the chamber 33 of the case, whereupon the base member 20 may be placed over the members thus assembled so that the aperture 25 is received by the shaft extension 565, and so that the apertures 26 and 27 arcthreaded with the le s 36 and 37 of the clamp 38. This automatically positions the parts in correct relation with one another, whereupon the said legs 36 and 37 may be clinched against the plate 20 as at 40 and 41. The spring 70 of course is placed under slight compression directly the base 20 is forced into mating engagement with'the le s 36 and 37 and the end of the case 30, and will thusfunction to force the contact carrier against the base 20 for its normal position, as illustrated in Figs. 3 and 5 or so that the conducting element 57 is normally in engagement with the switch terminals 47 and'48, and so that the shaft end 565 will normally protrude beyond the base 20.

The switch is then adapted for mounting upon the vehicle floor boards or other parts as illustrated in Fig. 1, or in any convenient .form so that the projecting portion 56b of the shaft will be in the path of movement of a boss 75, or other part, of one of the desired 565 of the shaft and move the shaft 56 through the guide apertures 25 and 55 to a circuit open position as illustrated in Fig. 5. Under these conditions there will be no warning signal given out by the lamp 78. Directly upon movement of the control 7 6 the switch shaft 56 is allowed to move against the base 20, by reason of the spring 70 pressing it thereagainst, and under these conditions the circuit will be closed between the switch terminals 47 and 48, whereby the signal circuit is completed through the battery and the lamp 78 with their associated connections to given the desired warnings. It is obvious of course that th1s switch is so mounted upon the vehlcle as to present the shaft extension 5672 in the path of movement of the desired control lever, so that when the lever is released thatit will engage the shaft end at the extreme of its return movement to move the conducting element 57 out of engagement with the contacts 47 and 48. A slight moveii;

ment of the lever T then, will condition switch to close the circuit ther-z'ithrough and any amount of" further movement of the control lever has no ctlect upon the switch. Thereby the need for adjustment of c nnec tions between the lever and swi :h is eliminated, and the warning signal is always manifest at the first part of the movement of the lever 7 6.

While the form of embodiment of the present invention as herein disclosed, constitutes a preferred form it is to be understood that other forms might be adopted, all coming within the scope of the claims which follow.

What is claimed is as follows:

1. An electric switch comprising, an integrally formed nonconducting terminal support and switch case, asupporting bracket therefor, and a clamping member securing said switch case to said bracket, said member and bracket each forming a closure for one end of said case.

2. An electric switch comprising in combination, a switch case of nonconducting material moldably securing a pair of terminal members, a supporting bracket and a clamping member securing said case to the bracket and closing each end of the case, and contact completing means within the case operable to open and close circuits through said terminal members.

3. An electric switch comprising in combination, a cylindrical switch casing of nonconducting material insulatingly supporting a pair of switch terminals and terminal brackets, a bracket for supporting said casing and closing one end thereof, a clamping member for closing the other end of-said casing and for securing said casing to said bracket, both of said members closing the casing being apcrtured in axial alignment with said casing, and contact closing means within said casing guided by said apertures for controlling circuits through said switch terminals.

4. An electric switch comprising in comination, a casing of nonconducting material insulatingly supporting a pair of switch terminals. a base closing one end of the casing and providing a bracket for supporting the switch structure, means clamping the housing to the base and closing the other end of said casing, means within the housing guided by axial openings in the base and clamping means for optionally controlling circuitsv through said switch terminals, said controlling means being normally urgod toward terminal engaging position.

5. An electric switch comprising in combination, a housing of nonconducting material substantially cylindrical in formation, said housing having inserts in the wall thereof forming switch contacts within the hous ing and circuit terminals without, means supporting the housing and providing closures for each end of the cylindrical portion, a movable contact assembly within the housing carried by a shaft guided. by openings in 'each of the closure members, and

means urging the contact assembly into cirof forming switch contacts within the housing and circuit terminals without, means supporting the housing and providing closures for each end of the cylindrical portion, a

movable contact ass mhly within the housing carried by a shaft. guided by openings in each of. the closure members, and means urging the contact assembly into circuit completin g position, and means permitting movement of said assembly into circuit open position. said contact assembly comprising a shaft and a plurality of nonconducting washers supporting a resilient contact ring, for engagement with said switch contacts.

7. [he combination set forth in claim 5 in which the contact assembly comprises .a shaft mounted for lineal movement through the apertures of said closure members, a nonconducting contact carrier secured to the shaft, a helical ring of conducting material supported by said carrier in engageable re: lation with said switch terminals, and a spring disposed against one of the closure members and the contact carrier for urging the same into circuit closing relation with respect to said switch terminals.

8. An electric switch comprising in combination, a housing of nonconducting material substantially cylindrical in formation and provided with an enlarged bore therethrough, a sheet metal base plate forming an attaching bracket therefor, and closing one end of said bore, a U-shaped clamping member closing the other end of said bore and securing said housing to said base, both of said closure members providing apertures in axial alignment with said enlarged bore, and a contact actuator assembly within said housing guided for movement by said aligned apertures, said housing providin inserts, portions of which are exposed within the housing and operable as switch contacts normally eugageablc by a conductor element of said contact actuator.

9. An clcctric switch comprising in com bination, a casing of nonconducting material substantially cylindrical in formation and providing a longitudinal bore thcrcthrough, said casing bcing cxtcriorly fluted at substantially diametrically opposite points and n'ioldal. ly sccuring a pair of conducting inserls, said iuscrts being substantially diametrically opposite and disposed at. points intermediate said flutes, means closing each end of the bore of said casing, one of said closures comprising a U-shaped member, the legs of which are disposed in the said flutes and operate to secure the housing to the other of said closure, and a contact actuator within the casing normally completing circuit closed relation between said switch contacts.

10. An electrical switch comprising in combination, a housing providing a cylindrical shell, switch terminals secured in the walls of said housing, means closing each end of said housing, one of said closing means including a U-shaped clamp for securing the housing to the other of said closure members, and means within the housing for controlling circuits through said switch terminals.

11. An electric switch comprising, an integrally formed nonconducting terminal support and switch case, a supporting bracket therefor, and a clamping member securing said switcheasetosaid bracket, said case comprising a substantially cylindrieal shell closed at each end by said bracket and clamping member.

12. An electric switch comprising in com bination, a housing of nonconducting material substantially cylindrical in formation,

said housing having inserts in the wall thereof forming switch contacts within the housing and circuit terminals without, means supporting the housing and providing closures for each end of the cylindrical portion, a movable contact assembly within the housing carried by a shaft guided by openings in each of the closure members, and means urging the contact assembly into terminal engaging position yet permitting movement .'of-- said contact assembly into circuit open position.

13. An electrlc switch comprising in combination, a casing of nonconducting material substantially cylindrical in formation and providing a longitudinal bore therethrough, said casing being exteriorly fluted at substantially diametrically opposite oints and moldably securing a pair of con ucting inserts, said inserts being substantially diametricall opposite and having portions thereof ii ilSh with the surface of said bore, means closing each end of the bore of said casing, one of said means having parallel legs situated in said flutes to retain the housing in place, and a contact actuator providing a resilient conducting element normally completing circuit closed relation between said switch contacts.

14. A plunger operated switch comprising in combination, a cylindrical housing of dielectric material providing diametrically arranged exterior flutes, metallic head members closing each end of the housing, one of said head members providing integrally providing exposed surfaces within the housing projecting above the internal surface thereof, a plunger and a contact carrier for movement within the housing, said carrier providing an annular groove on its periphery, and an expansible contact ring disposed in said groove normally expanding to the diameter of said bore, hut yieldable to pass between the raised portions of said inserts, and means for moving the carrier.

In testimony whereof we hereto ailix our signatures.

HARRY E. NORVIEL. VANCE ECOFF; 

